Todd Stone, minister of transportation and infrastructure, has received a shopping list of ferry service priorities during a stopover in Powell River.
Speaking to the Powell River Chamber of Commerce for nearly an hour on Tuesday, September 30, the minister outlined measures to improve service that have been highlighted by community representatives. He then provided his response to those requests.
Stone said that at the recent Union of BC Municipalities convention in Whistler, he was able to meet with Powell River representatives. He said the contingent reinforced this community does not like the changes that have been made to the BC Ferry service. However, they presented five ideas for the minister to consider.
The first item was a request for community input on schedules, especially the Langdale to Horseshoe Bay run, so that it works better for the residents of Powell River.
The concept of home-porting was also brought up. Stone said he is pleased to confirm that more will be heard this fall from the ferry commissioner, who will be conducting a performance review on the issue of home-porting.
“He’ll be specifically looking at the Comox-Powell River run,” Stone said. “It makes more sense to me to have the ferry on this side of the water.” His comment was met with loud applause.
The Powell River representatives also presented priority boarding as a potential modification to service.
“Even if it’s a red card on the vehicle, if you’re heading to Vancouver, why not be assured there is space on the ferry out of Langdale?” Stone said.
Crew levels on the ferries was another concern and Stone said he will be talking to federal transportation minister about the legislation that governs how many crew members are on a sailing. Stone said the staffing requirement that federal regulation stipulates is higher than that in Washington State and other places in the world that have ferry service.
The suggestion that will likely be the most difficult to implement is paying one way, rather than having to pay for ferry travel both ways.
During the chamber meeting, Stone also heard about ticket prices for young people. He was told that youth from Powell River competing in sporting events on Vancouver Island pay full fare, whereas youth in other locations travel for free.
Stone told the meeting he was impressed with the spirit of cooperation from this community.
“One of the things I really appreciate about Powell River is how positive and progressive this community is,” he said. “Perhaps there is no community in British Columbia that relies on BC Ferries for lifeblood of the community more than Powell River.
“In the context of what were very difficult changes and reductions to schedules, and the emotion that was rightfully felt as a result of these decisions, Powell River was one of those few communities that actually stepped forward.”
Stone said community representatives were not hesitant in saying they didn’t like or support changes being recommended by BC Ferries. He said local representatives indicated they were going to be passionate in explaining why they didn’t support the changes. The mindset, however, was understanding that these changes were moving forward, and the community wanted to work with government and BC Ferries to make sure the changes work as well as they possibly can for the people of Powell River.
Stone said a committee was formed, meetings were held and the community representatives came forward with a series of recommendations.
“I’m pleased to say we were successful in embracing and implementing all of those suggestions that came from the local community here,” Stone said. “That cannot be said for every coastal community. Others have opted just to oppose the changes and not step forward and offer suggestions and ideas. I want to applaud Powell River for working with government.”
